Chapter 52 – The Foundation of Battle Art
Varos's voice carried an unshakable weight, his words slow and deliberate. "Before you learn the basics of battle art, you must understand this—no single technique, no single strategy, no single weapon guarantees victory."
Lyrian stood still, listening intently.
"The greatest warriors do not cling to one style," Varos continued. "They adapt. They evolve. They shape their battle art to fit the situation, not the other way around."
He stepped forward, his gaze piercing. "Do you understand what that means?"
Lyrian hesitated. "That I can't just rely on what I've been taught?"
"Correct," Varos said. "Many warriors are skilled, but they become predictable because they refuse to change. They train in a single discipline, mastering it—but in doing so, they trap themselves within its limits. A battle art should never be rigid. It should flow like water, shifting and molding itself to whatever stands in its way."
Lyrian exhaled. "So, the best battle art is one without a fixed form?"
"Not exactly." Varos crossed his arms. "A foundation is necessary. Without it, your battle art will crumble under pressure. But the key is knowing when to follow what you've learned and when to abandon it entirely. Some warriors rely on overwhelming power, crushing their opponents before they can react. Others strike with deadly precision, exploiting every flaw in an opponent's stance. And some win not by attacking, but by forcing their enemy into mistakes."
Lyrian nodded, absorbing every word.
"But let me ask you something," Varos said. "Why do some warriors, despite possessing overwhelming mana, still lose battles?"
Lyrian thought for a moment. "Because… they rely on mana too much?"
Varos smirked. "A decent answer, but not quite. Mana is a tool, like a blade. But if a warrior depends on it blindly, they become weak the moment that tool is taken away. True battle art is built upon more than just power—it's built upon control. And control does not come from mana alone."
He turned slightly, glancing at the weapons lined against the walls. "A warrior with immense mana but no adaptability is like a mountain—strong, immovable. But what happens when the land beneath it shifts?"
Lyrian's eyes narrowed. "It crumbles."
"Exactly." Varos nodded. "But a warrior who learns to adapt is like the wind—untouchable, unrestricted. If you only train to fight in ideal conditions, you will fail the moment the battle is no longer in your favor. That is why learning the basics of battle art is important—but mastering adaptability is what sets the true warriors apart."
Lyrian clenched his fists, feeling a deeper understanding settle within him.
Varos studied him for a moment, then spoke again.
"Tell me, Lyrian. Why do warriors fight?"
Lyrian hesitated. He had thought of many answers throughout their conversation—glory, survival, dominance, strength. But none seemed absolute.
Varos waited.
And then, the answer struck him.
"Warriors fight to kill," Lyrian said, his voice quiet but firm. "Kill or be killed."
A slow smirk spread across Varos's lips.
"Now you're starting to understand."